Self-Publisher Interview with Tracey Nudd
1. What can you tell me about your experience as a writer?
Well, I don’t have much as I only started writing this past July. But… I have met some of the best people ever within the indie horror community. People from every part of the books process…. Editors, formatters, cover artists, ARC and Beta readers, even other authors who are always willing to help the noob. And then there’s the readers themselves. So far, they’ve all been wonderful!
2. What made you decide to write a book?
I have a LOT of built-up traumas that I never learned to deal with. It all stems from my childhood and extends into my mid-twenties. I had the idea of possibly “writing out my demons”. So, I started typing on my phone. Next thing I knew, I had a short story that everyone kept telling me I should publish. So, I did.
3. What circumstances brought you to the decision to self-publish your book?
I’ve been around the community for a bit. I see all the other indies doing their thing, making their own rules and stories whenever they like. They don’t have to follow traditional publishers’ rules. It really looked like my kind of thing. I could write at my own pace and not have to worry about breaking a contract.
4. What has your experience as a self-publisher been like?
I only have one book published at the moment – Not Dead Yet – but once I had a few helping hands to steer me in the right direction, the rest was easy. A bit costly…and could very much have been even more costly. But money isn’t what it’s about for me. I just want a way to release these pent-up demons healthily.
5. How do you respond to the negative stigma attached to self-publishing and self-published books?
Honestly - I haven’t seen much of it for one. And secondly, everyone has the right to their opinions. If they don’t like independently published works, then go somewhere else. Easy peasy, lemon squeezie.
6. What is one very important lesson you have learned as a self-publisher so far?
Network. Make friends with other authors, artists, editors, formatters, readers, reviewers…everyone! The more networking you do, the better off you’ll be. Just be careful WHO you get to know. Bad apples everywhere, yanno?
7. What do you know now about self-publishing that you wish you knew at the beginning?
How much money I’d spend on a single short story! LOL But, it’s completely fun and If I had to spend more, I would do it all over again!
8. A lot of authors of self-published books have reservations about promoting and marketing their book. Some even feel that it is a form of vanity or self-importance. What is your opinion about this?
We, as authors, have no option BUT to promote our work. It’s no different than seeing an ad on the TV for Wal-Mart. We just use social media platforms instead. If we don’t promote, we won’t get readers. We don’t get readers, we lose money. We lose too much money, we can’t write anymore because we’ll be working 3rd shift at the corner gas station along with a ‘normal’ 9-5.
9. How do you promote your books and what form of book promotion has worked the best for you?
I not only talk up my books, but I made small graphics to grab attention, too. An example can be seen on my cover photo for Facebook. My logo takes up the left side, and a nice Merry Christmas deco takes up the right side. For Halloween, I made a ‘spooky’ little reel to put up. Etc. As for what works best… word of mouth!!! I cannot stress enough how much word of mouth does for us.
10. What are some other important things you have learned as a self-publisher?
It’s a lot more work than I expected it to be – but that’s a GOOD thing for me. My brain never slows down. It’s always running all my past traumas through over and over and over…. The only thing that has helped it slow down, is staying overly busy. I’m disabled, so I don’t leave the house much. Self-publishing has given me sort of a temporary escape. It really makes you focus on the here-and-now, and not the past.
11. Do you feel that self-publishing is a viable choice for other authors?
Absolutely! It’s not for -everyone-, no. Some people *need* set deadlines and set schedules for this and that. I’m slow due to my disabilities, so not having to keep up with all that is perfect for me.
12. How do you feel that self-publishing their books has helped many unknown authors finally get the recognition their books deserve?
I saw the cover of Jon Athan’s The Groomer online one day. I immediately guessed what it was about, but I had never read anything like it before. I used to only read cozy mysteries and light thrillers, but often found myself bored with those. So, I picked up a copy, read it in one day, and have been a fan ever since. Word of mouth is what drew me in to that book and the community. I think self-publishing makes it a lot easier to find more ‘down to earth’ people, just like you and me. We aren’t the Stephen Kings of the world, but we damn sure make some noise when we need to! The community is so amazing about giving to charities, helping each other out when someone falls on hard times, and just boosting people’s moods. We’re not just a community – we’re a family.
ABOUT TRACEY
I’m Tracey Nudd. I run Twizted Talez.
I’m a mom of 3 rowdy teenagers, (they’re mostly good, though). I’m married to my best friend. I LOVE animals. We have 6 dogs and 5 cats, currently. People tend to drop off critters around here and they seem to find their way to us. 😊
I’ve lived an extremely rough life – it’s what has left me disabled. Writing, for me, is a way to help myself through the pain of those traumas. Instead of my attackers making the rules, I make the rules.
I just released my first book this month – Not Dead Yet, book 1 of the NDY duology. Book 2, Still Not Dead Yet, will be out late this year/early next year. In the meantime, I’m working with some friends on a Charity Anthology – Feed The Young – where all proceeds will go to the Humane Society International.
I have a LOT of ideas swirling around my noggin’, and they will, eventually, all be out in print. 😊
Thank you so much for having me!
